Dial mechanism



July 11, 1939. s. D. RYDSTEDT DIAL MECHANISM Filed May 16, 1938 3Sheets-Sheet 1 July 11, 1939. 8.1:). RYDSTEDT DIAL MECHANISM Filed May16, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 11, 1939- s. D. RYDSTEDT 2,155,416

DIAL MECHANISM Filed May 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 11,1939 UNITED smrss DIAL MECHANISM Simon D. Rydstedt, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to Stewart-Warner Corporation, Chicago, 111., a v

corporation of Virginia.

Application May 16, 1938, Serial No. 208,154 10 Claims. (01. ire-124.1)

This invention relates to a new and improved dial mechanism and moreparticularly to a pointer or indicator mechanism especially adapted foruse with radio receivers of the type having a multiplicity of tuningranges.

It has become customary in many modern radio receivers to provideseparate inductances for different tuning ranges together with switching means for connecting the desired inductances in circuit with thetuning means of the set. With sets of this character dials are providedhaving separate adjacently located scales for the several tuning ranges.It is usual with such. dials to provide a single rotating index fingerwith arcuate scales or a single sliding index wire with rectangularscales. These index means extend over the several scales and areconfusing to the user in that they do not definitely indicate the scalein use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedscale and indicator mechanism.

It is a further object to provide a multiple scale device havingindicators only one of which is in indicating relationship with a singlescale in any adjustment of the device.

It is also an object to provide mechanism of this character in whichindicators not in use are hidden from view. I

It is another object to provide such dial mechanism which isautomatically operable upon operation of the wave change mechanism ofthe Set with which it is used.

' It is an additional object to provide mechanism 01 this characteradapted for use with arcuate scales or with rectilinear scales.-

It is a further object to provide mechanism of this character which issimple in design, composed of but few parts and adapted for commercialproduction and use.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

I have shown certain preferred embodiments d inthe accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line -55of Figure 3 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is a face view of a different type of dial construction;

Figure '7 is an enlarged transverse section of the form of constructionshown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing a modified form ofconstruction; and.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the construction ofFigure 8.

Referring first to the form of construction shown in Figures 1 to 5,inclusive, the radio chasb-ase ll has secured thereto the standards l2and i3. These standards'support the dial mechanism including the dialplate 14 and the guideway E5. The dial plate I4 has oiiset scale bearingportions it, W and. I8, as best shown in Figure 4. The pulleys I 9 andare carried from the standards l2 and I 3 and these pulleys are providedwith crank pins 2| and 22 which support a slide bar 23. The wave changemechanism is operated by knob 24. from shaft 25. This shaft 25 carries apulley 25. The flexible cable 2'! passes about pulley 2'6 and has itsends secured to the pulleys l9 and 26. The cable is guided througheyelets Z8 and 29 and is also guided by the small idler pulley 30.

The indicator slide 3! has its upper end fitted around the guideway 15,as shown at 32 in Figure 4, and is moved along the guideway by means 1of the cable 33. This cable 33 passes around the idler, pulley St at theright end of the chassis, as shown in Figure l, and over the idlerpulleys 535i and 35 at the upper left end of the chassis. The cable 33also passes over the idler pulley 3? at the lower left portion of thedial assembly and both ends of the cable are secured to the cable drivedrum 38 at theleft of the chassis. It will be understood that the drum38 is connected in any desired manner to the tuning= mechanism of theradio apparatus assembled on the chassis. This method of connectionforms no part of the present invention and has not been shown in detail.

The indicator slide 3| carries a plurality of rotatable indicators 39,Ml and 4| which are provided with the gears 42, 43 and 44. Theindicatorshave the cup-shaped portions 45, 46 and tl, each of which isprovided with oppositely spaced notches 48 and 49. The spring 50 islocated adjacent the upper indicator 39 and is provided with a roundedend portion 5i adapted to selectively engage the notches Q8 and 39 onthe cup 45. The. double spring 52 is provided with the oppositelyextending. rounded ends 53 and 54 which are adapted to selectivelyengage the notches 48 and 49 in the indicator cups 46 and 41,respectively.

The indicator rack 55 is mounted on the indicator slide 3| by means ofthe rivets 56 and 51. which pass through the slotted openings 58 and 59in the rack to permit it to have a limited longitudinal movement. Thetoothed edge 60 of the rack engages all three of the gears 42, 43 and44. As best shown in Figure 4, the rack 55 is provided with therearwardly extending lugs 6! and 62 which engage opposite edges of theslide bar 23. As is clearly shown in Figure 2, the pulleys I9 and 20carrying the slide bar 23 are located in an inclined plane parallel tothe location of the bar 23 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. so that uponrotation of the pulleys the bar 23 moves upwardly and downwardlyparallel to the plane of the indicator slide 3|.

Referring next to the form of construction shown in Figures 6 and 7, thecircular dial 'II) is provided with a plurality of arcuate scale bearingportions H, I2 and I3 and with the central cap or cover I4. The shaft I5is located concentrically of the dial scales in the rear thereof. Thisshaft will be connected in any desired manner to the movable tuningelements of the radio apparatus. The end of the shaft I5 carries theindicator arm "I6, one side of which carries the rotatable indicatorsTI, 78 and I9 which are provided with the gears 80, BI and 82,respectively. The other portion of the arm carries a counterweight 93.The rack 83 meshes with all of these gears. The end of the rack 83 isprovided with upturned lugs 84 and 85 between which fits the end 85 of abell crank lever 87 which is carried in the rotatable shaft 15. Theother end of the bell crank 86 is connected by link 88 to the slidingmember 89 which is adapted to be moved axially along the shaft I5. Themember 821 has a circumferential groove 99 in which fits the actuatingarm 9|. The arm BI is secured to shaft 92, which may be connected in anydesired manner to means for operating the indicators. It is normallyconnected to the wave change mechanism of the apparatus.

The form of construction shown in Figures 8 and 9 is generally similarto that shown in Figures 6 and '7. The circular dial Iiifl is providedwith the outer dial scale portion NH and with the intermediate coverportion I02. It is further pro-- vided with a double scale carryingportion I33 and a central cover portion Iii i. Separate scales will belocated adjacent the opposite edges of the portion I113. The shaft I55carries the indicator arm I55 which is counterweighted at It?. The armI55 carries two indicators IE8 and 19 which are provided with the gearsH6 and III, respectively. The rack slide I I2 meshes with both gears Hiand HI, and at its end has the lugs HE; and IM which engage the end H5of the bell crank H5. This bell crank H6 is carried and operated in thesame manner as the bell crank 87 of Figure 7.

The form of construction of Figures 1 to 5 is operated automatically bythe operation of the tuning and wave change controls of the radio set inthe usual manner. It will be understood that by operating the tuningcontrol of the set the indicator slide 3| will be moved back and forthso as to be opposite the indication on the proper scale corresponding tothe adjustment of the tuning elements of the radio set. In the samemanner, rotation of the knob 24 to bring into operation any desired waverange will automatically move an indicator into indicating relationshipwith the scale corresponding to the wave band in use. The otherindicators will be hidden by the scale carrying portions of the dial.Consequently the only indicator visible is that which points to the dialscale in use. This movement of the indicators is accomplished by meansof the cable Z'I connected to the pulleys I9 and 20.

In the form of construction shown, there are three wave ranges providedwith separate scales and indicators. It will be understood, however,that the device is capable of being used with two or more scales andindicators. With the parts in the position shown in the drawings, theintermediate scale IT is in use and the indicator 40 extends over thisscale and is Visible. If the knob 2 3 is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection, both pulleys I9 and 28 will be rotated in the same direction.This rotation through the crank pins III and 22 will move the slide bar23 downwardly. L

The parts are so related in size that when the knob 24 is turnedsufficiently to bring into operation the next wave band, the bar 23,Willhave moved downwardly sufficiently so that the rack slide 55 byengagement with the gears 42, 43 and i i on the indicators rotate eachindicator through an arc of 99 degrees. This movement will rotate theindicator 35 until it is behind the scale l6 and is not visible. Theindicator 39 will be rotated but will continue invisible. The indicatorlli will, by this 90 degree rotation, be brought into indicatingrelationship with the lower scale 52-2 and will be visible.

A clockwise rotation of the knob 24 will move the parts in the reversedirection. It will raise the slide bar 23 and this will rotate all ofthe indicators 90 degrees in the clockwise direction. This will move theindicator ll under the scale IE5 and the indicator M will continue to behidden by the scale Ill. The indicator 39, however, will pass outthrough the space at the upper edge of the scale I5 and will be inindicating relationship with that scale. It will be seen that all ofthese operations are carried out automatically by merely turning theusual knob to bring into operation the desired wave range.

Referring next to the form of construction shown in Figures 6 and '7,the method of operation is generally similar to that described. Theshaft 92 will be rotated when it is desired to change from one waverange to another. With the parts in the position shown in the drawings,the indicator TI is in indicating relationship with scale 73. Movementof the rack slide 83 to the left will move the indicator I'I behind thecentral shield iii. The indicator 19 will continue to be hidden by thescale I2. The indicator I8, however, will appear above the scale I2 andbe in indicating relationship therewith. A further movement of the rackbar 83 to the left will bring the indicator I9 intoindicatingrelationship with the scale lI, while the cther two indicatorswill be hidden.

The form of construction shown in Figures 8 and 9 is operated in thesame manner as that shown in Figures 6 and '7. The difference here isthat a single indicator I88 serves at different times to coact with twodifferent scales. With the parts in the position shown in Figures 8 and9, the indicator I838 is in indicating relationship with the scale I E!I. With the rack slide I I2 moved to the left the indicator Hi3 will behidden by the cover portion I02, while the indicator I I I will appearabove the inner scale on the scale portion I03. With the rack slide I I2given further movement to the left, the indicator I09 will again behidden by the central cover I04. The indicator I08 will now have beenmoved through a total of 180 degrees and will appear above the outerscale upon the scale portion I03.

While I have shown and described certain preferred forms of myinvention, these are to be understood to be illustrative only. While myinvention has been described in connection with a radio receiver it mayalso be used with other apparatus such as transmitters, test instrumentsand the like. I contemplate such changes and modifications as comewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Radio dial mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced index scales, aplurality of indicators rotatably mounted adjacent the scales, and meansfor rotating an indicator into and out of position above a scale and inindicating relationship therewith. J

2. Radio dial mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced index scales, aplurality of indicators rotatably mounted adjacent the scales,and jointoperating means for rotating an indicator into position above a scaleand in indicating relationship therewith and for rotating anotherindicator into position below a scale whereby the indicator is hidden bythe scale.

3. Radio dial mechanism comprising a plurality of index scales, aplurality of pivots adjacent said scales, a plurality of rotatableindicators, one mounted upon each pivot and means for jointly rotatingthe indicators, the indicators being interconnected whereby suchrotation brings one indicator at a time into indicating relationshipwith a scale.

4. Radio dial mechanism comprising, in combination, a plurality of indexscales, a multiple indicator unit carrying a plurality of rotatableindex pointers, means for moving the indicator unit relative to theindex scales, and means for rotatingthe index pointers to bring onepointer at a time selectively in registration with a scale.

5. In radio apparatus, in combination a wave change device including arotatable shaft, a dial mechanism comprising a plurality of indexscales, a plurality of rotatable indicators, a gear on each indicator, arack engaging said gears for moving the indicators into and out ofindicating relationship to the scales, and means operatively connectingthe rotatable wave change shaft and the rack whereby upon wave changeadjustment an indicator is in indicating relationship to thecorresponding scale.

6. In radio apparatus, in combination, a wave change device including arotatable shaft, a dial mechanism comprising a plurality of indexscales, a plurality of rotatable indicators, a gear on each indicator, arack engaging said gears for moving the indicators into and out ofindicating relationship to the scales, a slide engaging the rack, spacedpulleys carrying crank pins supporting the ends of the slide, andflexible means connecting the pulleys and the rotatable wave changeshaft whereby upon wave change adjustment an indicator is brought intoindicating relationship with the corresponding scale.

'7. In radio apparatus, in combination, a wave change device including arotatable shaft, a dial mechanism comprising a plurality of indexscales, a plurality of rotatable indicators, a gear on each indicator, arack engaging said gears for moving the indicators into and out ofindicating relationship to the scales, a bell crank having one armengaging the rack and link, and slide mechanism operatively connectingthe bell crank and the rotatable Wave change shaft whereby-upon Wavechange adjustment an indicator is brought into indicating relationshipwith the corresponding scale.

8. In radio apparatus, in combination a wave change device including amovable shaft, a plurality of concentric arcuate scales having spacesadjacent their edges, a rotatable shaft concentric with the scales,indicator mechanism rotated by the shaft comprising a plurality ofindicators, and a sliding rack for rotating the indicators into and outof indicating relationship to the scales through the spaces adjacent thescales, the indicators not in such relationship being behind the scales,and means carried in part by the concentric shaft operatively connectingthe sliding rack and the movable wave change shaft whereby upon wavechange adjustment an indicator is brought into indicating relationshipwith the corresponding scale.

9. In radio apparatus, in combination a wave change device including amovable shaft, a plurality of parallel elongated scales having spacesadjacent their edges, a guideway parallel to the scales, an indicatorslide movable along the guideway, a plurality of movable indicatorscarried by the slide, and means operatively connecting the movable shaftand the movable indicators for moving the indicators selectively intoindicating relationship with the scales whereby upon wave changeadjustment an indicator is brought into indicating relationship with thecorresponding scale.

10. In radio apparatus, in combination a wave change device including amovable shaft, a plurality of parallel elongated scales having spacesadjacent their edges, a guideway parallel to the scales, an indicatorslide movable along the guideway, standards supporting the ends of thescales and guideway, pulleys carried upon the standards adjacent theends of the guideway, crank pins, on the pulleys, a slide bar carried bythe crank pins and extending parallel to the guideway, a plurality ofrotatable indicators carried by the indicator slide, gears on theindicators, a rack carried by the indicator slide and engaging thegears, means connecting the rack and the slide bar whereby movement ofthe slide bar moves the rack, and flexible means connecting the movablewave change shaft and the pulleys whereby upon wave change adjustmentthe pulleys are rotated, the slide bar and rack moved and the indicatorsrotated to bring an indicator into indicating relationship with thecorresponding scale.

SIMON D. RYDSTEDT.

